Architecture of Rajasthan

Frank Gehry, a Canadian architect, once said,

“Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness.”

Rajasthan’s architecture is based on the Rajputana ideology creating a blend of Mughal and Hindu architectural plans. The astonishing forts, palaces, havelis and beautifully carved temples are all based upon the Rajputana architecture and yet have different designs and beautiful stories to remind of the time and reason they were built upon. Even today, these historical monuments are preserved so well and modern architecture is planned on the same structural plans and foundation.

Amer fort, Nahargarh Fort, City palace in Jaipur, Kumbhalgarh fort, Chittorgarh fort, Hawa mahal, Udaipur palace are some of the marvellous and miraculous structures that can be found in the state. The great stories of the time, when these structures stood tall and held a royal significance, are now a world heritage and attract tourists from around the world. The kings at the time of their rule, constructed stepwells also known as Baori, to ensures the availability of water during the periods of drought. Chand Baori in Abhaneri village is the oldest, and deepest baori in the world and is the best example of geometric expertise. Jantar Mantar, Dilwara temples, Havelis of Jaisalmer, Birla temple, Khole ke Hanuman ji temple, Parshuram Mahadev temple are the structures apart from palaces and forts which holds the values in architectural world.

Modern architecture in Rajasthan is similar to the Rajput architecture because the bases of the buildings and monuments are often from the Rajput era. Although the typical modern architecture is also present around the major cities of Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur etc creating a contrast and a good blend with a change of view at every corner. World trade park, Jawahar Kala Kendra, Motison Jewellers, Shree cements – 72 screen building are some of the modern architecture whereas Shunyam, Mewar complex, Rajasthan School are seemed to have a mixture of modern and traditional designs.

There are many interesting facts about these monuments and structures as they are said to hold many stories. The fort of Kumbhalgarh is said to be the second longest and continuous wall of the world after the Great wall of China. The Lohagarh fort of Bharatpur is also the only invincible fort of the country, which was never captured and even the Britishers, after attacking thirteen times, accepted the defeat. Jaisalmer fort is not only a maze of temples and palaces, but it still hosts home to more than 3,000 people with the ‘Patta’ system.

The tales of the kings and their heritage, the forts, palaces, temples are never disappointing and never ending. Carvings, foundations, designs, and the art that is infused to make the history has been engraved so beautifully that it still binds the art, culture and tradition together among the people. This is what Rajasthan’s architecture is all about and is looked upon to sustain historical as well as the modern architecture in the coming times.